In what is a clash between two bottom-ranked teams in the India Cements TN Premier League, Madurai Super Giants will take on Ruby Kanchi Warriors at the NPR College Ground at Natham on Friday.
The Giants are still winless while the Warriors have a solitary win to their credit. Despite trying out various strategies, the Giants have not been successful in getting the necessary results.
The batting has been inconsistent and this has created problems during close matches. The only players to have contributed are Shijit Chandran, Arun Karthik, and S Thiyagarajan, and the rest have been below par. Even the bowling, which showed initial promise, has faltered.
The only players who have shone in that department are Muruganantham and M. Raja. The danger of elimination looms large over Giants and it remains to be seen as to whether their batting and bowling click in this game.
Even the Warriors are facing a similar situation as they have faltered after winning the first game in the super-over.
Though wicketkeeper-batsman Nilesh Subramanium has got them off to good starts, the middle-order hasn’t given them adequate support. Bharath Shankar and Baba Indrajith need to step up and put a good score on board.
Even Shahrukh Khan, who plays with a long handle, will aim to convert his good starts into big scores.
The bowling should improve – thanks to a training session under Brett Lee – with M Prabhu, R Jesuraj and J Kousik forming the crux, and Alagh Pratibhan and L Ganesh providing additional support.
The Warriors now need to win their last three games to have any hope of qualifying for the play-offs.
Key battles: It will be interesting to see Nilesh Subramanium and Arun Karthik clash as both are proven match-winners. The form of these two at the top of the order will in all probability decide the outcome of the game.
